When in Rome..... Vista planning and ideas for tours and DIY

[les37b]

From an idea from our Roll Call earlier, I thought it might be a good idea for our group to have a chat thread for our specific cruise to talk about plans for tours or DIY journeys being planned or seeking advice from others without cluttering up the Roll Call which has been a really useful resource.

 

That suggestion was expanded to one for vista port specific locations, which might be a helpful resource for all Vista travellers and with the helpful insight of those who've gone before us and left for those going in the future to have the benefit of previous visits to guide and continue to be a good resource.

 

Just an experiment.... hopefully a good idea!

 

I will get the ball rolling with some thoughts for Rome for a member of our group embarking on a DIY trip for Rome....

 

Got any questions or any advice to give?

 

Go for it. :D

 

.

Edited July 9, 2016 by les37b

[les37b]

Disembarking in Civitavecchia?

 

How easy was it getting off Vista and onto the Shuttles? Were they frequent? Have to wait around a long time? Queues getting off the ship? How easy was the bus forward to the train station after the shuttle drop off?

 

I know when I did this before, we decided to walk rather than do this..... but I have a feeling Vista will be much further back than we were and may make the free shuttle the better option.

 

Were there taxis around or were they only wanting to take you on to Rome? (There certainly weren't many waiting for our cruise.)

 

 

Obviously each cruise will be different - but with 4000 passengers, I expect the numbers taking the train would be high? Were the trains packed?

 

I think this might be useful info for people to know for their plans for train DIY trips into Rome.

[les37b]

We've decided to do a pretty similar visit to the one we did in April, catching the train to Roma S.Pietro (which saves a fair amount of time rather than going to Roma Termini station)

 

We didnt go into the Vatican proper (ie with tickets), but this is the station you'd want if that's where you were heading. We went there, took some photos, but didnt go in. It was a Sunday when we were there before, so bits were shut. This time, we are with the kids who wouldn't be interested and in truth, neither am I really.

 

What I did earlier was take a small snap shot of places we had interest in going to and planned using google to work out what was feasible by foot. Obviously taking taxis, I guess it wouldnt matter, but its kinda fun working your way around. tip.... If you have a smart phone, use some sort of GPS navigation. For us because I had data on my phone, we used google maps which gave us the added advantage of satellite or cheating by going into street mode!

 

Anyway, from the Vatican City, we plan to get to Pantheon, then onto Trevi Fountain, Colosium, then metro to Ostiese and back to Civitivecchia.

 

I'm pretty sure this can be improved on and maybe there are some bits I may have missed.

 

When there before, we did the Forum, which I enjoyed (and is right next to the Colosseum) but the wife doesnt want to go there again. (She wanted Trevi Fountain... so obviously you can guess where we are going! lol)

 

Word of advice though.... Getting into the Colosseum was not quick - even though we bought tickets from a vendor who claimed was selling jump the queue tickets... (he lied.... though we did sort of jump the line.... the guide just pushed in and ushered us through by looking official!) But even so, you have to go through airport style security... its time consuming.

 

So Tip..... dont try to do too much... you'll never get it all in!

 

Good news for our cruise on 26 August - we arrive at 7am and leave at 8pm - so really do have a long day of it in Roma.

 

Anyway.... thats our plan... what are you doing?

 

PS.... the train will cost you 12 Euros return. You can get a slightly cheaper ticket - but this one includes the metro - which we intend to use from the Colosseum to Ostiense.... Or you could take a 10 Euro taxi - which we found out last time was the cost. (We were there on a Sunday - the train service wasnt so good, so didnt want to push our luck and miss our planned train. As it happens, there was lots of traffic and the metro was probably quicker!

[sk84fungirl]

We are catching the train in to Rome via Carnival's excursion. We know we could do the train on our own but decided to give Carnival's a try. Once we get to Rome we are spending a few hours on a golf cart tour and then a few hours on our own. We've done the major sites 5 years ago and will just take quick pics.

[les37b]

I must admit if id wanted to test the waters id probably have chosen Livorno to do that as it does have the extra complication of traversing the industrial port and then sorting a bus ticket then getting to the train station. At $90 its very expensive... But I guess you know that.

 

It does however probably give you priority disembarkation and a much easier passage to the station... Plus a guaranteed seat. When we arrive there are 2 other ships arriving at the same time.... Im guessing it'll be very busy.

 

I tried to read the reviews that have been left but wouldn't open on my windows phone or an ipad. Interested to see those.

 

So once there what's the plan on the golf cart?

 

Anyway, happy to exchange ideas unless you've already got concrete plans.... But share if you have. :)

Edited July 10, 2016 by les37b

[lilnoia]

We've decided to do a pretty similar visit to the one we did in April, catching the train to Roma S.Pietro (which saves a fair amount of time rather than going to Roma Termini station)

 

We didnt go into the Vatican proper (ie with tickets), but this is the station you'd want if that's where you were heading. We went there, took some photos, but didnt go in. It was a Sunday when we were there before, so bits were shut. This time, we are with the kids who wouldn't be interested and in truth, neither am I really.

 

What I did earlier was take a small snap shot of places we had interest in going to and planned using google to work out what was feasible by foot. Obviously taking taxis, I guess it wouldnt matter, but its kinda fun working your way around. tip.... If you have a smart phone, use some sort of GPS navigation. For us because I had data on my phone, we used google maps which gave us the added advantage of satellite or cheating by going into street mode!

 

Anyway, from the Vatican City, we plan to get to Pantheon, then onto Trevi Fountain, Colosium, then metro to Ostiese and back to Civitivecchia.

 

I'm pretty sure this can be improved on and maybe there are some bits I may have missed.

 

When there before, we did the Forum, which I enjoyed (and is right next to the Colosseum) but the wife doesnt want to go there again. (She wanted Trevi Fountain... so obviously you can guess where we are going! lol)

 

Word of advice though.... Getting into the Colosseum was not quick - even though we bought tickets from a vendor who claimed was selling jump the queue tickets... (he lied.... though we did sort of jump the line.... the guide just pushed in and ushered us through by looking official!) But even so, you have to go through airport style security... its time consuming.

 

So Tip..... dont try to do too much... you'll never get it all in!

 

Good news for our cruise on 26 August - we arrive at 7am and leave at 8pm - so really do have a long day of it in Roma.

 

Anyway.... thats our plan... what are you doing?

 

PS.... the train will cost you 12 Euros return. You can get a slightly cheaper ticket - but this one includes the metro - which we intend to use from the Colosseum to Ostiense.... Or you could take a 10 Euro taxi - which we found out last time was the cost. (We were there on a Sunday - the train service wasnt so good, so didnt want to push our luck and miss our planned train. As it happens, there was lots of traffic and the metro was probably quicker!

 

Your plan sounds exactly like what we want to do! We're doing the 9/23 cruise so I'd be curious to hear about how it turns out for your family. We're also travelling with kids and my husband and I have been to Rome, so we're just looking to show them the highlights and enjoy some gelato.

[seabeelarry]

we were on the 6/21 cruise...

when we hit Civitavecchia, we got off the ship fairly easy, and took the free ship shuttle from the ship to the town. from there you could take another pay bus to the train station (the wait was about 30 minutes we were told), or walk as we did. it took about 20 minutes...not a bad walk either.

we bought our round trip ticket (10 euro r/t), and actually made the 800am train...there was maybe another 20 or Vista cruisers in the station at the same as us...

We got off at St. Peters, as we went to the Vatican with a Viators tours.

it took about 45 minutes or so to get there...then another 30 minutes to walk to the Vatican Museum entrance.

 

 

In Livorno, we did the carnival excursion "Florence on your own" ...after reading other posts here and on the Carnival site, we decided it would be the most time effective option, which actually was a great option. even at the price...

 

(we were talking to a couple afterwards on the Lido deck, who did it on their own, and after the taxi from port to train station, train, taxi to Duormo, then another back to Florence station, and taxi back to ship, they didn't save all too much, and was stressed trying to make that last train to get back on time.)

[les37b]

Thanks for that Seabeelarry.

 

We were a bit annoyed with the free shuttle bus when we were there. We decided not to wait and decided to walk. We already knew about the return bus from the drop off point. We had got approx 3/4 of the way to the road at the end of the docks when the driver stopped and picked us up.... I said I was going to the train station and he gestured us on. I thought he was either going to take us to the station or drop us off at the junction. Fortunately there was no wait for the second mini bus. Its not worth waiting for a free shuttle then waiting for a pay bus further from the station than you started especially if you have to wait. Far better to just walk from the ship. That said I do think Vista will be docked much further away than the Silver Wind was in April.

 

For Livorno, knowing how this works now with the bus from the plazza to the station, I definitely would do that again. I know exactly where the bus stops in both directions so no fears. Taxi drivers fleece cruisers, but if I managed to get one for 15 euros from the ship Id do that..... However 4000 people is rich pickings. They know they can push the prices up and people are willing to pay.

 

Its good to know you can get of the ship quickly. Did you manage to get breakfast ok first? I think its the logistics of the ship that holds the biggest concerns for me.

Edited July 15, 2016 by les37b

[lilnoia]

In Livorno, we did the carnival excursion "Florence on your own" ...after reading other posts here and on the Carnival site, we decided it would be the most time effective option, which actually was a great option. even at the price...

 

(we were talking to a couple afterwards on the Lido deck, who did it on their own, and after the taxi from port to train station, train, taxi to Duormo, then another back to Florence station, and taxi back to ship, they didn't save all too much, and was stressed trying to make that last train to get back on time.)

 

What time did you leave the ship and get back? We really want to do Florence on our own with our kids and I think the Carnival excursion may be the best option.

[dancindukes]

We did this exact itinerary in 2012 and it was fabulous.

 

This is a cut and paste from an older post. We actually did this exact route in 2012. We saw lots in a very short time. Wear comfortable shoes and bring these directions. I would recommend it to anyone wanting to see lots and not spend lots. The only change was we took a taxi from the Vatican to Trevi Fountain because it was getting late.

 

 

We recently spent a day in Rome from Civitavecchia (can anyone actually pronounce that?) and here's how you can easily avoid some lines and cover all the sights in a very effective and efficient way on your own.

 

Our plan was the result of the research here on this forum and from other sources, and so is nothing original, but it is a good validation that some of the advice I found was truly beneficial.

 

Getting to the train station

 

This is covered well elsewhere but it's worth a recap and a few special notes.

 

The ships dock in the Civitavecchia port which is extensive. Shuttle buses take you from your ship to the port entrance (near the castle). What was a bit confusing and annoying the day we got off our ship, was the fact that we were among the first off at 7:30 hoping to catch an 8AM train into Rome. However, at 7:30, the pier was a bit disorganized. There were several shuttle buses parked but it wasn't at all clear which one was leaving first. None of the bus drivers spoke a word of English and the only person on the pier from the cruise ship didn't really know what was going on either. Once a mass of people started to collect near the buses, one of them opened the door and let people aboard. Then we had to wait several minutes until the bus was full before it departed. All of this meant that we were dropped off at the port entrance about 7:55. According to my schedule there was a train to Rome at 7:59 and the next one wasn't until 8:40. I was obviously a bit concerned and annoyed that we would probably miss the 7:59 and end up on the 8:40. However, I had read that trains are notoriously late, so we double-timed it to the train station.

 

From the port entrance it's a short 10 minute walk along the water front to the Train Station (5 minutes if you walk fast). When you see a road angled upward to the left, take that to get to the trainstation at the top of the road.

 

Catching the train

 

The train trip to Rome is well covered in many places on this forum, which I can summarize as follows:

- Buy a BIRG ticket from the newsstand at the train terminal (or at a shop along the way). The ticket machines in the train station will have a line of people.

- Validate your ticket using the yellow ticket box or risk a fine

- Check the monitors for the next train leaving Civi for Rome Termini and what "Bin" or platform it's on

- Go to that platform using the undergound tunnel

- Wait on the platform in an area clear of crowds so you have a fighting chance of getting a seat

 

If you don't know what a BIRG ticket is, that's a Rome transit ticket that costs about 9-Euro and covers your travel for the day on trains, metro, and buses. You can search the forums or web for additional information on the BIRG ticket.

 

Check train times using the Trenitalia site

 

Use stations Civitavecchia and Roma Ostiense (one way) for the date and approx time you desire. You will see a time table that shows the trains and the length of journey. Don't bother to buy reserve tickets online - they only work on certain trains and the BIRG is a much cheaper and better way to go.

 

Some additional advice based on our experience:

In our case, we arrived at the train station at about 8AM after double-timing it from the port. When we arrived, a train was sitting on the near platfrom... we thought we were lucky having caught the 7:59 train before it departed. Without really thinking, we quickly purchased BIRG tickets and along with several others, tried to board it. However, the conductor realized we were tourists and didn't let us on. At first we were confused and annoyed, but that caused me to check the monitors. Of course the train to Rome was not leaving on platform 1, but platform 3 and it wasn't supposed to be here for another 5 minutes. So had we got on that train, we would have ended up going the completely wrong direction. The moral of the story is, no matter how pressed for time you are, take time to check the monitors and make sure you know what platform your train is on and when it's leaving.

 

Avoiding Lineups

 

There are three potential line ups you will want to avoid (thanks to others who've posted similar advice in the past - it saved us a ton of time!)...

 

1. Coliseum tickets: The line up for Coliseum tickets can wrap around the building. I can only imagine that by 10AM it can be an hour or more long. Don't waste time in this line. Buy your combo (forum/coliseum/palentine) ticket at the Palentine Hill ticket office which is half a block south of the Coliseum. There is absolutely no line up there.

2. Vatican Museum tickets: The line up for the Vatican museum tickets can wrap around the Vatican wall... Again, I can't imagine how long the wait in this line is, but I would guess an hour or more. Buy your Vatican Museum tickets in advance online. I suggest picking the 2PM time slot for the day you are in port based on my walking itinerary below. Print the voucher out and take it with you. Proceed right inside without waiting in line and save valueable time.

3. Entrance to St. Peter's Basilica: This line is to clear security for St. Peter's Basilica and it can wrap all the way around St. Peter's square. This line up is probably visible from space! Even if you don't plan on going to the Vatican Museum, but still want to see St. Peter's Basilica, I would recommend buying Vatican Museum tickets online, swallow the added cost, and in doing so, you bypass both the museum and the Basilica line. Enjoy the museum (or breeze through it if it has no interest to you) and when you get to the Sistine Chapel, use the group tour exit to land yourself in the Basilica secured area without having to wait in the security line (since you already cleared security to enter the museum). At the back end of the Sistine chapel, there is the regular tourist exit on the left and the group tour exit on the right (with your back to the altar). Take the right exit. If there is security there, just blend into one of the tour groups there to get through. You will decend a long stair case and end up at the Cupola ticket line (short) which you can join if that's on your todo list or go down to the Basilica from there.

 

Walking tour - the most efficient way to see all the sights

 

There are plenty of alternates to this, and you can obviously plot your own route, but this particular itinerary and route was planned with a lot of thought and consideration. The primary goal was to cover all the key sights in one day without killiing ourselves. It assumes you can get off the ship around 7:30AM and don't need to be back on board until around 8PM. You may need to cut or adjust accordingly if your ship's time in port is different.

 

Besides seeing everything easily in a full day, it has a few other side benefits:

- You won't be among the massive crowds that opt to visit the Vatican in the morning (although I'm not sure they are any better in the afternoon when several ships are in port on the same day)

- You will avoid some walking late in the hottest part of the day when you are most tired

- You will see all the sites that have opening hours while they are open

- You will be able to skip the least important sights at the end of the day if you're short on time

- You will have a seat on the train back to the port at the end of the day

 

My recommended route is shown on the attached map.

 

The blue line represents a rough walking route, red lines represent metro travel

 

I'm not going to explain what these points of interest are. They either need no explanation or Google and Wikipedia are your friends in that regard.

 

1. Start by getting off the train at Roma Ostiense station.

2. Walk to Paramide metro station through the tunnel and ride to the next station, Circo Massimo

3. Walk up the street and notice Palantine Hill on your left... mid-block buy your combo ticket at their ticket office (see avoiding lineups above)

4. Proceed to the Arch of Constantine and the Coliseum

5. Enter the Coliseum without waiting in line as you already have a ticket

6. Head to the Forum and explore that using your combo ticket

7. Leave the forum via the north west corner and come around a large building there to get an excellent vantage point of the forum from above at street level

8. Head out front of the giant white marble monument to Victor Emmanuel II

9. Proceed to the Pantheon by zig zagging up the streets

10. Enjoy the Pantheon (free)

11. Head to Piazza Navona for lunch. If you followed this itinerary so far, you will probably arive here around noon and you will want to leave here around 1:15 or 1:30. There are lots of sidewalk cafes, arts and craft vendors in the square, amazing architecture and a few beautiful fountains.

12. After lunch (around 1:15 to 1:30), cross the bridge towards the Supreme Court building and then pass by the Castle of St. Angelo

13. Head towards the Vatican, but before entering the main square, turn North and head around the wall to the Vatican Museum Entrance. With your pre-purchased ticket in-hand, proceed directly inside without waiting in line. If you follow this itinerary, buy tickets for 2PM.

14. Enjoy (or not) the extremely crowded museum and Sistine chapel (there are some stunning rooms but they are hard to appreciate in thick crowds). Exit through the group entrance (see Avoiding lineups above)

15. Head up the Cupola (top of the Basilica). You can pay either 7-Euro for an elevator ride part ways (and climb 350 stairs) or 5-Euro to climb all 550 stairs. It's probably worth the extra 2-Euro to save your energy.

16. After the Cupola, you will end up in St. Peter's Basilica (see Avoiding Lineups above).

17. Head out through St. Peter's square and the main gate of the Vatican but turn north again and retrace your earlier route but instead of going to the Museum Entrance continue north a few blocks to the metro station.

18. Use your BIRG ticket for the Metro and Watch out for pickpockets - this is where they like to operate

19. At this point it will probably be around 4PM. If you still have time left in your day (see below about calculating what time you need to leave Rome), take the train to Spagna and complete the rest of the itinerary outlined below. If you are short on time, you can simply skip one or both of the last two points of interest and continue on the metro to Termini to catch the train back to port.

19. Exit the metro at the Spanish Steps. Good designer shopping is in this area if you prefer and have time.

20. Work your way to the Trevi Fountain.

21. Get back on the metro at the nearest station and head to Termini

22. Exit the Metro at the Termini train station.

 

Calculating when you need to leave Rome

 

Be sure to work backwards from your required back on board time, subtracting 15-20 minutes for getting from the train to the ship and subtracting the duration of the train ride. Then I would pick the train leaving before the last one that meets your schedule needs. This gives you some added buffer in case the train is late or something else happens. Of course, if you get to Termini earlier than planned, just take the next scheduled train.

 

Example:

Back on board: 8PM

Train to ship: 20 min

Train Ride: 65 min

Leave Rome by: 6:35PM

Last train before this: 6:28PM

Train before that: 6:00PM <- Shoot for this train

 

Returning to the Port

 

At Roma Termini station, check the monitors for the next train to Civi or talk to the ticket agents in the station. Your BIRG ticket covers your return trip. It may be a 10-15min walk from the main terminal to your train platform so be prepared if you are trying to catch a train that is leaving in minutes or are cutting it close to your required departure time.

 

Check train times using the Trenitalia site

 

Use stations Roma Termini and Civitavecchia (one way) for the date and approx time you desire

 

You will see a time table that shows the trains and the length of journey

You should find that trains run about every half hour or so around the end of the day.

 

Summary

 

We had a fabulous day, saw everything we wanted to without being stressed, and did so without spending much money at all.

 

I hope this helps and saves you from feeling like you need to spend a lot of money on a private/ship tour in order to see and enjoy everything.

 

Our total cost for this day was:

BIRG: 9

Combo ticket: 12

Vatican ticket: 14 (purchased in advance)

Cupola ticket: 7

= Total: 42-Euro per person plus food/drinks

[BCNlady]

Good itinerary and tips.

Could you post your map, please?

[Budget Queen]

 

For Livorno, knowing how this works now with the bus from the plazza to the station, I definitely would do that again. I know exactly where the bus stops in both directions so no fears. Taxi drivers fleece cruisers, but if I managed to get one for 15 euros from the ship Id do that..... However 4000 people is rich pickings. They know they can push the prices up and people are willing to pay.

.

 

Can you give more details about a "bus" rather than cab at Livorno dock to train station? I've always used a cab- rounding up splits on the dock and depot with others.

[epixx]

Can you give more details about a "bus" rather than cab at Livorno dock to train station?

 

You catch the bus at Piazza Grande, not from Livorno dock. You still have to take the shuttle from cruise ship dock to Piazza del Municipio in central Livorno to get the bus to the train station.

[les37b]

Can you give more details about a "bus" rather than cab at Livorno dock to train station? I've always used a cab- rounding up splits on the dock and depot with others.

 

This is the location of the bus stop.

 

If you scroll google street maps back, or come out back to maps you will see where the Piazza Grande is

 

Almost behind this little newsstand is where you buy your 1.5 Euro ticket from. (buy a return though!)

 

If you zoom in, you can see a sign that says T.... Which is the tobacconist and the sell the bus tickets. ... If thats too much hassle, you can just pay 2 Euros on the bus

 

I believe this is where you catch the port shuttle back to the ship from. It will drop you in this square from the port in the morning. They charge 5 Euros for the return fair to here. - So if like me, its 32 Euros for a family of 4. It might just be as easy to get a taxi all the way if you get one for 15 or 20 Euros (or their usual OTT rate of 25 Euros even!)

 

this is where the ship will dock and where the shuttle will drop you. I expect the route will be different to what Google maps is showing here!

[sk84fungirl]

I must admit if id wanted to test the waters id probably have chosen Livorno to do that as it does have the extra complication of traversing the industrial port and then sorting a bus ticket then getting to the train station. At $90 its very expensive... But I guess you know that.

 

It does however probably give you priority disembarkation and a much easier passage to the station... Plus a guaranteed seat. When we arrive there are 2 other ships arriving at the same time.... Im guessing it'll be very busy.

 

I tried to read the reviews that have been left but wouldn't open on my windows phone or an ipad. Interested to see those.

 

So once there what's the plan on the golf cart?

 

Anyway, happy to exchange ideas unless you've already got concrete plans.... But share if you have. :)

 

Hmmmm...tried to just quote the golf cart question and could not figure it out. Anyway....

 

We don't really have a plan for the golf cart yet. We're being flexible and enjoying the day as we've been there before. Shopping, pictures, lunch, shopping, pictures, gelato...return. :D

[kgraves3]

We are taking a transfer to a small down and doing a zipline called flying in the sky

[BaseballMomof4]

We've decided to do a pretty similar visit to the one we did in April, catching the train to Roma S.Pietro (which saves a fair amount of time rather than going to Roma Termini station)

 

We didnt go into the Vatican proper (ie with tickets), but this is the station you'd want if that's where you were heading. We went there, took some photos, but didnt go in. It was a Sunday when we were there before, so bits were shut. This time, we are with the kids who wouldn't be interested and in truth, neither am I really.

 

What I did earlier was take a small snap shot of places we had interest in going to and planned using google to work out what was feasible by foot. Obviously taking taxis, I guess it wouldnt matter, but its kinda fun working your way around. tip.... If you have a smart phone, use some sort of GPS navigation. For us because I had data on my phone, we used google maps which gave us the added advantage of satellite or cheating by going into street mode!

 

Anyway, from the Vatican City, we plan to get to Pantheon, then onto Trevi Fountain, Colosium, then metro to Ostiese and back to Civitivecchia.

 

I'm pretty sure this can be improved on and maybe there are some bits I may have missed.

 

When there before, we did the Forum, which I enjoyed (and is right next to the Colosseum) but the wife doesnt want to go there again. (She wanted Trevi Fountain... so obviously you can guess where we are going! lol)

 

Word of advice though.... Getting into the Colosseum was not quick - even though we bought tickets from a vendor who claimed was selling jump the queue tickets... (he lied.... though we did sort of jump the line.... the guide just pushed in and ushered us through by looking official!) But even so, you have to go through airport style security... its time consuming.

 

So Tip..... dont try to do too much... you'll never get it all in!

 

Good news for our cruise on 26 August - we arrive at 7am and leave at 8pm - so really do have a long day of it in Roma.

 

Anyway.... thats our plan... what are you doing?

 

PS.... the train will cost you 12 Euros return. You can get a slightly cheaper ticket - but this one includes the metro - which we intend to use from the Colosseum to Ostiense.... Or you could take a 10 Euro taxi - which we found out last time was the cost. (We were there on a Sunday - the train service wasnt so good, so didnt want to push our luck and miss our planned train. As it happens, there was lots of traffic and the metro was probably quicker!

 

I agree with your assessment - you simply cannot see it all.

 

We were just there in May and we booked Rome in Limo for the ride to/from Rome which worked out well because there was a strike the day we were there.

 

For the Vatican I highly recommend booking your tickets online as it is a mob scene. Even with the pre-booked tickets it was quite a lengthy affair. Probably about 3.5 hours and you have little control of that because of the crowds. From there we walked to Piazza Navona and had lunch, after which we went to the Pantheon. We did not make it back to the Trevi as by that time after all that walking we were exhausted. Fortunately, we had been to Rome in 2013 and had seen the Colosseum, the Forum and the Trevi.

 

Since RIL was picking us up back near the Vatican, we strolled back that way grabbing a gelato along the way. We had enough time left to cross the bridge and see the Castle (there is a great little flea market right there) and take a few photos.

Edited July 27, 2016 by BaseballMomof4

[SF Cfan]

On the July 9 sailing out of Barcelona-

 

Livorno: We did the combination of the port shuttle and the city bus to the train station. Rick Steves describes the process perfectly including buying the bus ticket at the Tobacconist in his Mediterranean Cruise Port travel guide. No doubt about it, this is the quirkiest port to deal with. But, everything worked as advertised and we had a nice time in Florence.

 

Civitavecchia: We cruised here 5 years ago, the route has changed. The free port bus drops you much further from the train station. It would not be a quick walk. We opted for the station shuttle bus, which was a couple of Euros each or so. Yes, one has to ride a free bus then transfer to another bus to get to the train station.

 

We had skip the line tickets for the Vatican Museum, which saved a 2 to 3 hour wait that day. My advice is to get there about 30 minutes before your actual entry time. We did and that was spot on in terms of when we actually entered the exhibits. The e-ticket line outside the museum entrance was long, but moved along very quickly.

 

We spent 4 hours at the Vatican between the museum, the Sistine Chapel, and St Peter's. When you exit the Sistine Chapel, there is a door on the right marked "Groups Only". If you blend in with a group you can exit through that door and avoid the long walk back to St Peter's. There is even a return box for the audio tours if you can take advantage of this trick (credit again to Rick Steves).

[les37b]

Where do people recommend to get tickets from online that are not just vouchers to join another queue to collect tickets from!

[BaseballMomof4]

Where do people recommend to get tickets from online that are not just vouchers to join another queue to collect tickets from!

 

I got our tickets directly from the Vatican website. While there was still a stop at a line to exchange the voucher for a ticket, it was quick.

[seabeelarry]

I think that is the only way to do it....

Buy the voucher online, then trade it in for the actual ticket.